Apple filed a federal lawsuit on Friday against OpenAI, two of its former employees, and io Products, alleging systematic theft of confidential trade secrets and proprietary information. The suit centers on accusations that at least two long-time Apple workers who departed to join OpenAI took part in extracting sensitive internal information, including allegations that they emailed themselves confidential company data.
The defendants named in the complaint include Chang Liu, a senior electrical engineer who spent eight years at Apple, and Tang Yew Tan, a vice president of design for iPhone and Apple Watch who worked at the company for 24 years and now serves as OpenAI’s chief hardware officer. Apple also named io Products, the design startup founded by former Apple executive Jony Ive, which OpenAI acquired the previous year. Through these former employees and their access to sensitive projects, trusted partnerships, manufacturing techniques, and unreleased products, Apple contends that OpenAI obtained detailed information about its product plans and operations.
The complaint further alleges that OpenAI has engaged in a coordinated effort to extract information from current Apple employees during recruitment interviews, including allegedly requesting prospective hires bring actual Apple parts as “props” for “show and tell” demonstrations. Apple characterizes this conduct as part of a deliberate “strategy to extract Apple’s confidential information” aimed at advancing OpenAI’s entry into the consumer hardware market.
An OpenAI spokesperson stated the company has no interest in other companies’ trade secrets and is focused on building innovative technology. Apple indicated the lawsuit is based on significant evidence and said it had raised concerns with OpenAI in February without receiving resolution. The company is seeking an immediate court order prohibiting OpenAI from obtaining or using alleged confidential information and is pursuing unspecified monetary damages. OpenAI is expected to release its first hardware product this month and plans to become a publicly traded company.